Review Summary

This story of the romance between a troubled rich white girl (Kirsten Dunst) and her down-to-earth, responsible Mexican-American classmate (Jay Hernandez) is better --more realistic and insightful -- than most movies about American teenagers. Ms. Dunst's performance is smart and angry, and Mr. Hernandez makes his character into something more than the cardboard saint he might have been. But because the film starts off with so much promise, its eventual slide into melodramatic convention is especially disappointing. It's ultimately too cautious and responsible to live up either to the promise of its title or the talents of its cast. - A. O. Scott